Stephani Bandoski, Heather Little, Riley-Jane Marini, and Christine O'Donnell known collectively as WMA Titians from Wilbraham & Monson Academy, were recently selected to advance to the TOYchallenge™ 2009 Nationals at the United States Patent & Trademark Office in Alexandria Virginia on May 16, 2009. The team, led by Jill Dangleis, is one of hundreds of teams of students from across the country that are participating in TOYchallenge, a fun-fueled toy- and game-design competition that gives kids the chance to step out of their classrooms and develop their engineering and design skills by creating their dream toy.

For the competition’s Preliminary Round, the teams, comprised of at least 50 percent girls, submitted written descriptions and visual presentations of their original toy or game concepts based on themed categories including Games for the Family, Get Out and Play, and Toys that Teach. The submissions were judged on originality, creativity, feasibility, design process description, team participation and clarity of communication.  Approximately 100 Preliminary Round finalists were invited to advance to the TOYchallenge Nationals to be held at the US Patent Office on May 16.  At the Nationals, one grand prize package will be awarded, and one team will also be named the category prize winner in each theme category.

TOYchallenge www.TOYchallenge.com is designed to engage middle school-age students, especially girls, in science and engineering and to inspire them to pursue careers in those fields. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, women comprise only 13 percent of the engineering workforce. However, studies show that, in elementary school, equal numbers of girls and boys are interested in--and good at--math, science and technology. Unfortunately, beginning around the sixth grade, more girls than boys drift away from these subjects. While open to all fifth through eighth graders in the U.S., TOYchallenge focuses on catching girls’ attention in these subjects in order to keep them in the engineering “pipeline.”  TOYchallenge is created and run by Sally Ride Science. Southwest Airlines is the official airline of TOYchallenge.
 
Sally Ride Science™ was founded by astronaut Sally Ride to support the large numbers of girls who are, or might become, interested in science, math and technology. The company creates innovative science experiences for girls that empower them, engage them, and encourage their interests. Current programs include Sally Ride Science Festivals, TOYchallengeTM, Sally Ride Science Camps, and Sally Ride Science—After-school clubs. Current publications include a science careers book series, a space book series, a science newsletter, and other science materials. To learn more about Sally Ride Science, visit www.SallyRideScience.com or call 800.561.5161.